Immersion unit for radiation pyrometers



Jan. 3, 1950 H. e. MEAD 9 9 19 IMMERSION UNIT FOR RADIATION PYROMETERS 7 Filed Au 20, 1945 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmvnm (1420a) QM A TTORNEV Jan. 3, 1950 H. G. MEAD IMMERSION UNIT FOR RADIATION PYROMETERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1945 /X// 7 /\/AAA/ 7 i f wwfi W. 3 0% mm 3 Q Q .3. I \h .3 H R q: o a 5 R Q wk R Patented Jan. 3, 1950 IMMERSION UNIT FOR RADIATION P'YROMETERS Harold G. Mead, Bronxville, N. Y., assignor to Leeds and Northrup Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 20, 1945, Serial No. 611,515

Claims. 1(Cl. 136-4) This invention relates to apparatus for measuring high temperatures, particularly temperatures of molten metal, such as produced in an open hearth or similar furnaces utilized in refining a charge.

It has long been known that metallurgical reactions during the refining of metals are substantially affected by temperature. In open hearth furnaces the temperature of the metal during refining ranks in importance with other objectives, such as the composition of the metal, the characteristics of the slag, and the like. Moreover if at the time of tapping the metal is too cool, skulls will form in the ladle while if the metal is too hot, the ladle linings and other handling equipment will be damaged. Moreover, if the temperature is too high, the metal will stick in the ingot molds interfering with its subsequent removal.

Heretofore, efforts have been made to measure the molten steel temperatures of the bath by the spoon test or the rod test, neither of which is conclusive or definite because each requires the personal judgment of the operator and, of course, this differs with each operator.

Measurement of the temperature during tapping has usually been made with optical pyrometers sighted on the tapping stream, but such measurements come too late either to correct the temperatures during refining or to provide the correct temperature for tapping. Furthermore, optical readings vary a great deal because of difierence in practice between observers, the presence of smoke and variations in metallurgical conditions which directly affect the emissivity for directing the radiation on the remotely positioned pyrometer, any warpage of the tube changes the proportion of the radiation received by the pyrometer, thus, introducing errors into the readings. It haslbeen impossible to prevent warpage of the tube because of the high temperatures to which it is subjected. Various schemes 2 radiation received within the tube and to transmit it to the pyrometer, but none of these proposals has proved satisfactory.

In carrying out the present invention in one form thereof, there is provided means for so locating and supporting the pyrometer within a tube at a point sufficiently near the open end, which is immersed in the molten bath, that the pyrometer always receives radiation directly from the bath notwithstanding warpage of the enclosing tube. The supporting means itself includes two cooperating bearing surfaces immediately adjacent the open end of the tube. One bearing surface is carried by the tube and the other bearing surface supports the pyrometer. Resilient means are provided for maintaining the bearing surface in continuous contact during relative movement caused by bending or warping of the supporting tube.

For a more complete understanding of the invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section through a fractional part of an open hearth furnace showing the invention applied to the measurement of the temperature of the metal bath;

Fig. 2 is an end view, partly in section, of the device shown in Fig. 1, with the handle or supporting ring omitted;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one end of the device of Fig. 1 with the lead wires omitted; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the other end of the device of Fig. 2 with the lead wires omitted.

Referring to the drawings, the invention in one form has beenshown applied to the measurement of the temperature of a metal bath i0 contained within an open hearth furnace II. It will be observed that the molten bath I0 is covered by a relatively thick surface layerl2 of slag. Accord ingly, if a radiation pyrometer were to be directed through the wicket hole i3 of the door It upon the slag l2, it would receive radiation from the slag rather than from the metal bath lllwhose temperature is of importance. In accordance with the invention there is provided a total radiation pyrometer disposed within and adjacent the lower end of an enclosing tube l5 which is designed for temporary immersion within thebath Ill. The tube 15 is introduced through the wicket have been tried out in an endeavor to collect all as hole It and is supported in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 by means of a circular handle or wheel |5 which is attached to the upper end of the tube II. A plate I1 is biased by a spring l8 to close the wicket hole l3 so as to protect the operator from sparks, hot gases and/or flame.

Air under pressure is introduced by way of a flexible supply hose l9. The air is under pressure air. The air is admitted at such a rate that it neither cools the surface of the cavity nor does it produce a higher temperature by Bessemer action. The cavity comprises a substantially closed chamber with consequent production of substantially black body" conditions. Radiation from the cavity 20 is transmitted through the opening 2| of the tube I 5.

As best shown in Fig. 4, it will be observed that the tube I5 is provided at its open end with a tubular member |5a of somewhat greater crosssection which has a thickened end terminating at the opening 2|. A greater part of the radiation transmitted through the opening 2| is transmitted through an opening 22, of smaller area or diameter, formed in the end piece 23 of an inner tubular assembly which supports the radiation pyrometer. Radiation transmitted, through the opening 22 passes through a cover glass or window 24, a lens 25, a second lens 25, an opening 21 and on to the radiation receiver 28 of the radiation pyrometer. The radiation receiver may be of the type shown in Fig. 2a of U. S. Letters Patent 2,232,594 in which a plurality of thermocouples are supported by clamping rings'with their hot junctions in intimate thermal relation to a common target. The radiation receiver is connected by leads, not shown, to a pair of binding posts, one oi which, the binding post 29, is shown in Fig. 4. Lead wires, not shown, extend through a tube 30. From the end of the tube 30, Fig. 3, they lead to a switch 3| and thence outwardly through an opening 32 for passage through a pipe 33 to which the flexible hose I9, Fig. 1, is attached. "Switch 3| is preferably a shorting switch connected in parallel to or across the leads. These wires or leads have been omitted from the drawings in the interest of clarity. It is sufllcient to say they are provided to connect the radiation receiver or radiation-responsive device 28 to a measuring apparatus such as a recorder, of conventional design, which forms no part of the present invention.

The inner tubular structure or assembly is supported at one end, Fig. 4, by a spherical bearing surface 35 of member |5a engaged by three flns formed integrally with the tube 23 and two of which, the fins 35 and 31, are shown in Fig. 4. The fins are also provided with curved surfaces complementary to the surface 35. Thus, the curved surfaces of the flns form a means for centering the member 23 within the member I541. The fins are made relatively thin so as to minimize conduction of heat therethrough. The tubular member 23 is threadedly connected to a coupling member 33 which in turn is threaded to a tube 39. The inner assembly including the radiation receiver is supported from an insulating block 43 having a flange which engages the opposite end of the tube 39. A tubular member 4| has a shoulder which engages flange 42 which in turn presses against the insulating member 45. Thus, the coupling member 4| by threadedly engaging the end of the tube 39 provides a rigid assembly which includes the supports of the radiation receiver. The coupling member 43 has threadedly connected to it one end of the pipe 30. The opposite end of the pipe 30, Fig. '3, is slidably supported within a tubular member 44 which is attached to a body member 45. A spring 45 encircling the end of the tube has one end bearing againstthe tubular member 44 while the opposite end thereof bears against a collar rigidly secured to the tube 35. The spring 45 is efiective in pressing the tube 30 away from the tubular member 44 and resiliently to maintain the fins, as 35 and 31, against the bearing surface 35. The outer tube 5 is threadedly connected to the supporting wheel l5, Fig. 3, by means of an intermediate bushing 50. The body member 45 is clamped within the supporting wheel |5 by means of clamping members, two of which, the members 5| and 52, are shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

In the assembled position, as illustrated, the spring 46 is at all times effective to press the fins, as the fins 35 and 31, Fig. 4, against the bearing surface 35. Accordingly, any warpage or distortion or bending of the outer tube l5 occasioned by non-uniform heating thereof will not affect the alignment of the opening 22 with respect to the opening 2| because of the centering action of aforesaid bearing surfaces. As already stated, the bearing surface 35 is preferably spherical and the fins have a radius of curvature equal to that of surface 35. The result is that the opening 22 is maintained in a coaxial position with respect to the opening 2|. It will be remembered, the opening 22 is of slightly less area than the opening 2| so that an additional factor of safety is provided should the opening 22 be displaced from its concentric position with respect to the opening 2|. During the most severe operating conditions, the opening 22 has been maintained in alignment with the opening 2| for transmission of radiation unmasked by any part of the walls around the opening 2|. The radiation pyrometer therefore responds to the total radiation from the black body" cavity 25 and provides accurate and reliable measurement of the temperature of the metal of the bath which forms the wall of the cavity 25.

Though the surface 35 has been shown as spherical surface, it may take other forms. For example, it may be formed by a tubular circular opening. The essential requirement is that the surfaces of the three fins, as fins 35 and 31, shall be such as to maintain the centering action.

For additional support of the tube 35 there may be provided, Fig. 4, bosses or projections secured to the tube 35 and whose ends slidably en-. gage the inner wall of the tube l5. Preferably three bosses are provided for each location, two of them, the bosses 53 and 54, being shown in Fig. 4 and two of them, the bosses 55 and 55, being shown in Fig. 1.

It will be recalled that air under substantial pressure, of the order of twenty pounds per square inch, gage, as indicated by a pressure gage 51 is supplied to, and flows through, the flexible hose I 9, the pipe 33, Fig'. 3, and thence past a butterfly valve 53, through a port 59 and into a chamber formed in the body member 45. The chamber 59 communicates with the open end of the tube I5 through an annular port formed around member 44.- The air then flows around the outside of the tube 30 and around the radiation pyrometer housing and'outwardly through the opening 2|. Its path through the molten metal has been illustrated by the cavities and arrows ,of Fig. 1. In' order to minimize transfer of heat to the pyrometer due to the temperature of the wall of the tube I 5, the pyrometer housing, including the tube 39, is provided with an intermediate tube 62 supported on hubs formed at the respective ends of-the tube 39. The tube 621s provided with a number of outwardly extending fingers or airscoops, -two of which, the fingers shown in Fig. 4. These serve the purpose of collecting air. from the stream and directing it through the angular space provided'between the walls of the tubes 39 and 62. A number of outlet openings are provided in the outer tube 62, two of which, the openings 66 and 61, are shown in Fig. 4. Because of the described arrangement, transfer of heat from the wall l5,to the radiation receiver is minimized. Any transfer of heat therefrom must be by radiation across the air-gap between the wall of the tube l and the wall of the tube 62, and thence by radiation across the air-gap between the walls of the tubes 39 and 62. Because of the rapidly flowing streams of relatively cool air, there will be little, if any, transfer of heat by convection. Any transfer by radiation will tend to elevate the temperature of the tube 62. However, this tube is cooled and maintained at relatively low temperature by the streams of air on both sides thereof. Its temperature is maintained below that required for substantial radiation of heat to the tube 39.

In operation of the invention, the assembly, as a whole, will be brought to a convenient location adjacent the door Id of the open hearth furnace II. During this time the butterfly valve 58 will be in the closed position to reduce the flow of air to a substantial degree. The butterfly valve 58 is provided to conserve air under pressure prior to insertion of assembly into the furnace Ii.

It will be observed the switch 3! is biased by a spring 10 to the closed position. In this position the radiation pyrometer is short-circuited so that the associated recording equipment will not be aiiected by radiation received during the insertion of the assembly into the metal bath.

The operator moves the open end of the tube l5 through the wicket hole i3. The ring or handle l6 provides him with directing the tube l5 downwardly and into the metal bath It). At the time the end of the tube I5 is introduced into the wicket, the handle H is operated to open the butterfly valve' 58 for maximum flow of air. The operators hands are protected by means of the shield I! which, through the spring I8, is maintained against the walls surrounding the opening of the wicket hole I 3. After the tube l5 has been moved to a position corresponding with that shown in Fig. 1, there will be transmitted to the radiation pyrometer radiation from the black body cavity 20. The operator after a second or two then presses the knob 12 to open the switch 3! thereby to connect the radiation receiver of the pyrometer to the measuring and recording apparatus, not shown. This recording mechanism, which may be of the type shown in Williams Patent No. 2,113,164, functions to record the output from the pyrometer in a very short interval of time. consequence, the operator maintains the end of the tube immersed in the metal bath for four or five seconds whereon he releases the knob 12 for closure of the switch 3! again to short-circuit the 63 and 64, are

. r c I output of the radiation receiver of the pyrometer.

' bination of an outer tubular a convenient means for bearing surface produced by the furnace.

The operatorthen withdraws-the assembly as a whole from the open.

the open end of the tube I5 has cooled somewhat,-

hearth furnace ll. After he may then close thebutterfly valve 58, leaving a certain amountof air flowing through the'assembly for continued is preferably ofthe shorting type to insure minimum change of circuit impedance upon insertion or removal of the pyrometer voltage. a 1

It has been found that ameasuring device of the character described has a relatively long life notwithstanding the severe operating conditions under which it must function. More importantly, there has been provided a means for accurately measuring the temperature of the metal bath ill, the result of which is that a greater uniformity may be attained in the character of the steel Variables due to personal judgment of the operator have been eliminated and the practice in one plant may be compared with the practice in other plants, whereas in thepast', due to the personal judgment involved, precise knowledge as to the temperatures of the metal bath has been lacking.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a radiation pyrometer system for measuring the temperature ofmolten metals, the comopen end immersed in the molten metal during measurement of the temperature thereof, said member adjacent its open end having an internal bearing surface, an inner tubular assembly including a radiation responsive device, said assembly including three relatively narrow bearing members secured in symmetrical relation about one end of said inner assembly, said bearing member having curved centering surfaces which in cooperation with said bearing surface of said outer tubular member maintain said one end of said inner assembly centered with respect to said open end of said outer member, means for slidably supporting the opposite end of said inner assembly, and means for biasing said bearing surfaces one against the other to maintain said inner assembly centered within said open end to insure said radiation-responsive device views only the molten metal through said open end despite any distortion of said outer member.

2. In a radiation pyrometer system for measuring the temperature of molten metal, the combination of an outer tubular member having an open end to be immersed in the molten metal during measurement of the temperature thereof, said member adjacent its open end having a spherical internal bearing surface, an inner tubular member slidably supported within said outer tubular member and having an open end with an external complementary to said firstnamed spherical bearing surface, a radiation-responsive'device supported within said inner tubular member remote from open end thereof to view molten metal through said open ends of said -members, and resilient means for biasing said spherical bearing surfaces one against the other to maintain said openings in coaxial alignment with said responsive device despite distortion of said outer tubular member.

3. In a radiation pyrometer system for measuring the temperature of molten metal, the combination of an outer tubular member terminating cooling thereof. Switch 3| memberv having an an opening for viewing of the molten metal, said .passage at its inner end being shaped to provide ,a spherical bearing surface, an inner tubular member slidably supported within said outer tubular member having an end shaped to provide a bearing surface complementary to said firstnamed spherical bearing surface and with an opening of area smaller than said first-named opening, a radiation-responsive device supported 'within said inner tubular member remote from said end thereof to view the molten metal through said opening, and resilient means for biasing said spherical bearing surfaces one against the other to insure continued viewing of the metal by said device despite distortion of said outer tubular member.

4. In a radiation pyrometer system for measuring the temperature of molten metal, the combination of an outer tubular member having an open end to be immersed in the molten metal during measurement of the temperature there-- of, said member adjacent its open end having an internal spherical bearing surface, an inner tubular member spaced within said outer tubular member to provide a passage for cooling gas and having an open end with fins spaced for discharge of the gas through the said open end of said outer tubular member, said fins being shaped to provide a bearing surface complementary to said firstnamed spherical bearing surface, a radiation-responsive device mounted in said inner tubular member remote from said open end thereof to view molten metal through said open ends of said members, and means for maintaining said openings in coaxial alignment with said device despite distortion oi said outer tubular member compris-,

in; structure for slidably supporting said inner tubular member remotely from its said open end, and resilient means for biasing said spherical bearing surfaces one against the other.

5. The comb tion as defined in claim 4 in which the assem ly comprising e inner tubular REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,054,382 Larsen et al Sept. 15, 1936 2,184,169 Sordahl Dec. 19, 1939 2,232,594 Dike Feb. 18, 1941 2,266,416 Duclos Dec.-16, 1941 2,343,242 Richmond Mar. 7, 1944 2,366,285 Percy et al Jan. 2, 1945 2,390,578 Findley Dec. 11, 1945 OTHER REFERENCES Head, V. P.: Trans. A. S. M. E., vol. 66 (1944), p. 266.

Clark et al.: Metals Technology T. P. 2031, June 1946, pp. 1-12. 

